A5003453761- Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications
- Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
- Laser Design and Applications
- Solid State Laser Technologies
- Advanced Fiber Laser Technologies
- Laser-induced spectroscopy and plasma
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Photorefractive and Nonlinear Optics
- Laser Material Processing Techniques
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Semiconductor Lasers and Optical Devices
- Optical Systems and Laser Technology
- Advanced X-ray Imaging Techniques
- Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
- Photonic and Optical Devices
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Ion-surface interactions and analysis
- Magnetic confinement fusion research
- Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing
- Particle accelerators and beam dynamics
- Advanced X-ray and CT Imaging
- Gyrotron and Vacuum Electronics Research
- Metal and Thin Film Mechanics
- Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
2015-2025
Science and Technology Facilities Council
2013-2024
Central Laser Facility
2005-2022
Research Complex at Harwell
2016-2022
Laser 2000 (United Kingdom)
2019
University of Lisbon
2019
University of Strathclyde
2017
The Research Council
1999-2006
Centro Laser
2005
We report efficient and stable operation of the first multi-joule diode pumped solid state laser delivering 1 kW average power in 105 J, 10 ns pulses at Hz, confirming scalability multi-slab cryogenic gas-cooled amplifier technology.
The Vulcan Nd : glass laser at the Central Laser Facility is a Petawatt (1015 W) interaction facility available to UK and international user community. came online users in 2002 considerable experience has been gained operating this mode. designed deliver irradiance on target of 1021 W cm−2 for wide-ranging experimental programme fundamental physics advanced applications. This includes super-high-intensity light with matter, fast ignition fusion research, photon induced nuclear reactions,...
Pulsed beams of energetic x-rays and neutrons from intense laser interactions with solid foils are promising for applications where bright, small emission area sources, capable multi-modal delivery ideal. Possible end users laser-driven sources those requiring advanced non-destructive inspection techniques in industry sectors high value commerce such as aerospace, nuclear manufacturing. We report on experimental work that demonstrates operation power laser-solid neutron x-ray beam...
We report on the first demonstration of a diode-pumped, gas cooled, cryogenic multislab Yb:YAG amplifier. The performance was characterized over temperature range from 88 to 175 K. A maximum small-signal single-pass longitudinal gain 11.0 measured at When amplifying nanosecond pulses, recorded output energies were 10.1 J 1 Hz in four-pass extraction geometry and 6.4 10 three-pass setup, corresponding optical conversion efficiencies 21% 16%, respectively. To our knowledge, this represents...
The spectra of energetic electrons produced by a laser interaction with underdense plasma have been measured at intensities $>3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{20}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{W}\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. Electron energies in excess 300 MeV observed. Measurements the transmitted spectrum indicate that there is no correlation between acceleration and wave production. Particle-in-cell simulations show ponderomotive force produces an ion channel. field nonlinear...
Optical parametric chirped pulse amplifiers offer exciting prospects for generating new extremes in power, intensity, and duration. An experiment is described that was used to investigate the operation of this scheme up energies approaching a joule, as step toward its implementation at petawatt level. The results demonstrate an energy gain 1010 with extraction efficiency 20% close diffraction-limited performance. Some spectral narrowing during amplification shown be compatible time-varying...
Ion acceleration by the interaction of an ultraintense short-pulse laser with underdense-plasma has been studied at intensities up to $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{20}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{W}/\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{2}$. Helium ions having a maximum energy $13.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0\text{ }\mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$ were measured angle 100\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} from propagation direction. The ion scaled plasma density as...
We report on what is believed to be the first large-aperture and high-energy optical parametric chirped pulse amplification system. The system, based a three-stage amplifier, shows 25% pump-to-signal conversion efficiency of full 70 nm width seed spectrum. Pulse compression 84 fs achieved after indicates potential 300 TW power for 35 J amplified energy.
The aim of this project is to establish a 10 PW facility on the Vulcan laser system capable being focussed intensities at least 1023 Wcm−2 and integrate into flexible unique user This paper will present progress made in Phase one developing 10PW Front End as well concept for new facility. be configured way maximise scientific opportunities presented through combination with existing capabilities already established Vulcan. ground breaking development open up range opportunities.
We report on the successful demonstration of a 100 J-level, diode pumped solid state laser based cryogenic gas cooled, multi-slab ceramic Yb:YAG amplifier technology. When operated at 175 K, system delivered pulse energy 107 J 1 Hz repetition rate and 10 ns duration, by 506 940 nm, corresponding to an optical-to-optical efficiency 21%. To best our knowledge, this represents highest obtained from nanosecond pulsed laser. This confirms scalability optical for experiments architecture.
The Diode Pumped Optical Laser for Experiments (DiPOLE) project at the Central Facility aims to develop a scalable, efficient high pulse energy diode pumped laser amplifier system based on cryogenic gas cooled, multi-slab ceramic Yb:YAG technology. We present recent results obtained from scaled down prototype designed operation 10 Hz repetition rate. At 140 K, generated 10.8 J of in ns 1029.5 nm when by 48 940 nm, corresponding an optical conversion efficiency 22.5%. To our knowledge, this...
We present a numerical model of pulsed, diode-pumped Yb:YAG laser amplifier for the generation high energy ns-pulses. This is used to explore how optical-to-optical efficiency depends on factors such as pump duration, spectrum, intensity, doping concentration, and operating temperature. put special emphasis finding ways achieve within practical limitations imposed by real-world systems, limited brightness damage fluence. show that particularly advantageous way improving those constraints...
Abstract An overview of the Czech national R&D project HiLASE (High average power pulsed laser) is presented. The focuses on development advanced high repetition rate, diode pumped solid state laser (DPSSL) systems with energies in range from mJ to 100 J and rates 10 Hz kHz. Some applications these lasers research hi-tech industry are also
The Vulcan Nd:glass laser at the Central Laser Facility (CLF) is a petawatt (1015 Watts) interaction facility, designed to deliver irradiance on target of 1021W.cm−2 for UK and international user community. facility came online users in 2002 considerable experience has been gained operating this mode. delivers wide-ranging experimental program fundamental physics advanced applications. This includes ultrahigh intensity light with matter, fast ignition fusion research, photon induced nuclear...
In this paper we present details of a scalable design for cryogenic helium gas cooled DPSSL amplifier based on multislab Yb:YAG geometry. A prototype capable efficient amplification 10 ns pulses to J at Hz is presented, which has been derived from computational fluid dynamic calculations and thermal modeling. Model predictions have also used suitable cooling system, are presented. Experimental testing confirmed stable temperatures achievable room temperature down 88 K, with coolant stability...
In this paper we review the design and development of a 100 J, 10 Hz nanosecond pulsed laser, codenamed DiPOLE100X, being built at Central Laser Facility (CLF). This 1 kW average power diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) is based on master oscillator amplifier (MOPA) design, which includes two cryogenic gas cooled stages DiPOLE multi-slab ceramic Yb:YAG technology developed CLF. The will produce pulses between 2 15 ns in duration with precise, arbitrarily selectable shapes, pulse...
Abstract A petawatt facility fully based on noncollinear optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (NOPCPA) technology, Vulcan OPPEL (Vulcan OPCPA PEtawatt Laser), is presented. This system will be coupled with the existing hybrid-CPA/OPCPA VULCAN laser (500 J, 500 fs beamline; 250 ns regime beamline) Nd:glass amplification. Its duration (20 times shorter) combined design allow auxiliary beamline and its secondary sources to used as probe beams for longer pulses their interactions...
X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) sources coupled to high-power systems offer an avenue study the structural dynamics of materials at extreme pressures and temperatures. The recent commissioning DiPOLE 100-X on high energy density (HED) instrument European XFEL represents state-of-the-art in combining x-ray diffraction with compression, allowing for compressed be probed unprecedented detail. Here, we report quantitative measurements molten Sn 85(5) GPa ∼3500 K. capabilities HED enable liquid...
We present 50-fs, single-shot measurements of the x-ray thermal diffuse scattering (TDS) from copper foils that have been shocked via nanosecond laser-ablation up to pressures above 135~GPa. hence deduce Debye-Waller (DW) factor, providing a temperature measurement. The targets were laser-shocked with DiPOLE 100-X laser at High Energy Density (HED) endstation European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (EuXFEL). Single pulses, photon energy 18 keV, scattered samples and recorded on Varex detectors....
We present 50-fs, single-shot measurements of the x-ray thermal diffuse scattering (TDS) from copper foils that have been shocked via nanosecond laser ablation up to pressures above ∼135 GPa. hence deduce Debye–Waller factor, providing a temperature measurement. The targets were laser-shocked with DiPOLE 100-X at High Energy Density endstation European X-ray Free-Electron Laser. Single pulses, photon energy 18 keV, scattered samples and recorded on Varex detectors. Despite being highly...
We present the design, implementation, and testing of a novel picosecond optical parametric preamplifier system to generate high-energy seed pulses for Vulcan laser facility. The amplifies 100 fs stretched 3 ps from 10 pJ 70 μJ in single stage amplification before are further amplified high-power Nd:glass facility petawatt power level. This increased energy has led an improvement nanosecond spontaneous emission contrast intensity 10(-10) main pulse, without degrading output system.
A short-pulse source based on optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) technology has been developed with properties that make it a suitable seed for high-energy OPCPA system. This generated diffraction-limited pulse at 910 nm full bandwidth of > 165 and spectrum having transform-limited duration less than 15 fs. The technique potential generating bandwidths 200 durations < 10
Recently, an amplification technique for ultrashort pulses was explored in detail a theoretical paper by Ross et al. [Opt. Commun.144, 125 (1997)]. The technique, based on nonlinear optics, is called optical parametric chirped pulse amplification. It has number of features that, principle, make it highly attractive. primarily offers extremely large gains simultaneously with bandwidths. Additional attractions are virtually no spatial and temporal phase distortion the amplified pulse, high...